JP5209041B2 - Electronic clock - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece having a step motor.

  When an electronic timepiece with hands is attached with large hands (especially the second hand) to improve visibility, the phase of the rotor will be distorted by impact when the watch is dropped or bumped, and the time display will be distorted. Arise. In order to deal with the above problem, the vibration of the rotor caused by the impact is detected, and if it is determined that the impact has occurred, the current is immediately forced to flow through the coil to brake the rotor and the time is lost due to the impact. A method for preventing this is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Hereinafter, this method is simply referred to as an electromagnetic braking method.

  The conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example, and FIG. 22 is a waveform diagram output from a conventional electronic timepiece. In FIG. 21, 1 is a step motor composed of the rotor 10 and the coil 13, 101 is a drive pulse generating circuit for generating a drive pulse Pa for driving the step motor 1, and 102 is the rotor 10 when an impact is applied to the step motor 1. A lock pulse generation circuit for generating a lock pulse PL for braking control, 103 a pulse selection circuit for selecting a drive pulse Pa generated by the drive pulse generation circuit 101 or a lock pulse PL generated by the lock pulse generation circuit 102; Reference numeral 108 denotes a driver circuit that outputs a pulse selected by the pulse selection circuit 103 to the coil 13, and reference numeral 104 denotes an impact detection circuit that detects the presence or absence of an impact by a counter electromotive current generated in the coil 13 due to vibration of the rotor 10.

  Next, circuit operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 22, the drive pulse Pa output from the drive pulse generation circuit 101 at the timing s1 of the second is output from O1 of the coil 13 via the pulse selection circuit 103 and the driver circuit 108, and the rotor 10 is rotated 180 degrees. Rotate. Then, a fixed period in which the vibration of the rotor 10 due to driving is estimated to be settled is provided as a dead period T1 in which no impact detection is performed, and thereafter, the process proceeds to an impact detection period T2 in which an impact is detected. In the impact detection period T2, the impact detection circuit 104 periodically detects the back electromotive force due to the impact using the impact detection signal g. When a back electromotive force is generated by the shock G within the period of the shock detection period T2, the shock detection circuit 104 controls the lock pulse generation circuit 102 and the pulse selection circuit 103 so as to immediately output the lock pulse PL. Then, the rotor 10 is brake-controlled by the lock pulse PL output from O1 of the coil 13. After the lock pulse PL is output, a dead time period T1 in which vibration due to the lock pulse PL is settled is provided, and then the process proceeds to an impact detection period T2 in which an impact is detected again.

  The lock pulse PL is output in the same phase (O1) as the drive pulse Pa. Usually, since the rotor 10 is rotated 180 degrees by the drive pulse Pa, the lock pulse PL output thereafter is output in a phase where the rotor 10 does not rotate. Therefore, the rotor 10 is rotated by the lock pulse PL, and the time does not go wrong.

JP-A-2005-172777 JP 2000-75063 A International Publication No. 95/27926 Pamphlet

  As described above, in the conventional technique, the vibration of the rotor 10 is detected, and is determined as an impact. However, if the vibration of the rotor 10 is simply detected, the vibration after the rotor 10 is rotated by the drive pulse Pa is also judged as an impact, so a certain period after the application of the drive pulse Pa is provided as the dead period T1. However, when the driving pulse Pa is applied in the state where an external magnetic field is applied to the timepiece, the vibration may greatly differ from the normal case. This is because the stop position of the rotor 10 with respect to the stator is shifted by the external magnetic field. In an extreme case, the rotor 10 cannot be stopped at the position of the next phase, and rotation of about 360 degrees (in the case of the second hand, it proceeds for 2 seconds per second) occurs.

  The above phenomenon will be described with reference to the drawings. 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 are plan views of the step motor for explaining the movement of the rotor 10. FIG. FIG. 23 shows the case where there is no external magnetic field, FIG. 24 shows the case where the coil is energized without an external magnetic field, FIG. 25 shows the case where an external magnetic field is applied, and FIG. FIG. 27 is a diagram when the rotor 10 rotates 180 degrees when an external magnetic field is applied. In the figure, 1 is a step motor, 10 is a rotor, 11 is a magnet constituting the rotor 10, 12 is a stator, 13 is a coil, and 14 is a coil core. The rotor 10 and the magnet 11 are rotatably supported in a hole a1 provided in the stator 12. Further, the stationary angle c2 of the magnetic poles N and S of the magnet 11 is stopped at a position inclined by a constant angle θi with respect to the substantially longitudinal angle c1 of the stator 12. The static angle c2 of the magnetic poles N and S of the magnet 11 becomes the angle θi due to the inner peripheral shape (not shown) provided around the hole a1 of the stator 12. When the coil 13 is energized in the state of FIG. 23, the state is as shown in FIG. That is, when a current flows through the coil 13, a magnetic field e 1 is generated in the coil core 14 and is transmitted clockwise to the step motor 1. Magnetic fields N1 and S1 are generated by the coil 13 at an angle c1 in the substantially longitudinal direction of the stator. Therefore, the magnet 11 repels the magnetic fields N1 and S1 generated by the coil 13 and rotates. As described above, the static angle c2 of the magnetic poles N and S of the magnet 11 is inclined by the angle θi with respect to the angle c1 which is the direction of the magnetic fields N1 and S1 generated by the coil 13. Therefore, the magnet 11 rotates clockwise as shown by the arrow Y1.

  Next, a case where an external magnetic field is applied will be described. FIG. 25 is a diagram in which an external magnetic field is applied to the step motor 1. In FIG. 25, the external magnetic field e3 is applied from the right to the left in the figure. The external magnetic field e3 passes through the stator 12 and the coil core 14 of the step motor 1 from right to left. Around the hole a1 of the stator 12, magnetic poles N3 and S3 are generated by the external magnetic field e3. Therefore, the magnetic poles N and S of the magnet 11 cannot be stopped at the original stationary angle c2 due to the influence of the magnetic poles N3 and S3 by the external magnetic field e3, and have an angle c1 and θx in the substantially longitudinal direction of the stator 12. Stop at the position of angle c3.

  When the coil 13 is energized in this state, as shown in FIG. 26, a magnetic field e1 is generated in the coil core 14 and is transmitted clockwise to the step motor 1. Magnetic fields N1 and S1 are generated in the substantially longitudinal direction c1 of the stator. Therefore, the magnet 11 repels the magnetic field synthesized by the magnetic fields N1 and S1 generated by the coil 13 and the magnetic poles N3 and S3 generated by the external magnetic field e3, and rotates. The magnet 11 is rotated 180 degrees to the position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 27, the phase of the magnet 11 is 180 degrees different from that in FIG. 25, and the magnetic pole S is on the left side. At this time, the magnetic poles N and S of the magnet 11 and the magnetic poles N3 and S3 due to the external magnetic field are repelled, and the magnet 11 cannot be stably stopped due to the external magnetic field e3. Therefore, the magnet 11 is further rotated by 180 degrees for a total of 360 degrees, and is again rotated to the position shown in FIG. That is, the movement of the second hand is advanced 2 seconds at a time.

  In the case of a watch that does not have an electromagnetic braking system, even if this phenomenon occurs, it will not be a big problem. This is because at the time of the next drive pulse output, the phase of the magnet 11 does not match the phase of the drive pulse and cannot be driven. That is, the first drive pulse advances for 2 seconds, but the next drive pulse cannot be driven, so that it is delayed by 1 second. Therefore, the total time is not crazy. If the external magnetic field disappears, it can return to the original normal operation.

  However, when the electromagnetic braking method is used, the following problems occur. In FIG. 27 to FIG. 25, the rotor 10 rotates and shifts. This phenomenon occurs in most cases after the dead period T1 in which the impact detection is not performed, and the generated time is extremely irregular. That is, this phenomenon occurs in the impact detection period T2 during which an impact is detected. Therefore, the rotation of the rotor 10 is erroneously detected as an impact, and the lock pulse PL is output. Further, the normal lock pulse is output at a phase that does not rotate, but the lock pulse is output to the rotating side because the rotor 10 rotates 360 degrees. Then, the rotor 10 is rotated by the lock pulse PL. Further, similarly to the case of the rotation by the driving pulse Pa described above, the magnet 11 is also rotated 360 degrees by the lock pulse PL. Then, the free vibration when rotating 360 degrees again is erroneously detected as an impact, and the lock pulse PL is output again. This phenomenon occurs continuously, the magnet 11 rotates one after another, and an abnormal phenomenon occurs in which the second hand advances several tens of seconds per second. (Hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as an abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field.) This becomes a fatal defect for an electronic timepiece because the time is greatly distorted. Further, since the lock pulse PL is a very large current consumption, the continuous output of the lock pulse PL significantly reduces the battery life.

  The abnormal hand movement in the magnetic field will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 28, the drive pulse Pa is output at the timing s1 of the second. Then, it is provided as a dead period T1, and thereafter, it shifts to an impact detection period T2 in which a back electromotive voltage due to the impact is detected by the impact detection signal g. On the other hand, since the rotor 10 is in a magnetic field, it rotates 360 degrees Q1 within the impact detection period T2. The counter electromotive current of the 360-degree rotation Q1 is erroneously determined as the impact detection signal g in which the counter electromotive voltage due to the impact is generated, and the impact detection circuit 104 outputs the lock pulse PL. Originally, the lock pulse PL is output so as to control the rotor 10. However, since the rotor 10 has rotated 360 degrees Q1 in the magnetic field, the phase is reversed, and the lock pulse PL is output to the rotor. 10 is output to the rotating side. Since the rotor 10 is in a magnetic field, the rotor 10 driven by the lock pulse PL similarly to the drive pulse Pa still rotates 360 degrees Q2.

  On the other hand, a dead period T1 is provided even after the lock pulse PL is output, and thereafter, the shock detection period T2 is entered. Further, as described above, the rotor 10 driven by the lock pulse PL causes 360 rotations Q2, but 360 rotations Q2 are generated within the impact detection period T2. Then, the counter electromotive current due to 360 rotation Q2 is erroneously determined to be the impact detection signal g in which the counter electromotive voltage due to the impact is generated, and the impact detection circuit 104 further outputs the lock pulse PL. Then, the rotor 10 is rotated 360 degrees again by the lock pulse PL. By repeating the above operation, the rotor 10 is rotated 360 degrees one after another, resulting in abnormal hand movement. At the next timing s2, the output of the drive pulse Pa is output from O2, and the phase is different, so there is no abnormal movement even in the magnetic field. However, at the next timing s3 (not shown), the phase becomes an abnormal movement again. It becomes.

  Note that abnormal movement in a magnetic field is likely to occur in the case of a pulse having a larger driving force, and is difficult to occur in a pulse having a small driving force. For example, in the case of a load compensation system that detects a stop with a normal drive pulse and drives with a corrected drive pulse when stopped, the normal drive pulse has a small driving force and does not generate an abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field. In this case, the driving force is large so that the correction driving pulse can be driven reliably even when the load is large. Therefore, the abnormal driving occurs in the magnetic field with the correction driving pulse. In recent electronic watches, a load compensation system is often used due to low current consumption, and therefore abnormal movement in a magnetic field is likely to occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks and does not cause abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a step motor having a coil and a rotor, normal drive pulse generating means for driving the step motor, and impact detecting means for detecting vibration of the rotor caused by external impact. And an electronic timepiece having a lock pulse output means for outputting a lock pulse for controlling the braking of the step motor when the impact detection means detects an impact, the detection operation of the impact detection means by detecting a predetermined condition. It has an impact detection control means for controlling prohibition / permission.

  The electronic timepiece according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein in the above-described invention, a rotation detecting means for detecting rotation and non-rotation of the rotor, and a correction drive pulse are generated when the rotation detection means determines that the rotation is non-rotation. Correction drive pulse generating means for performing the detection, wherein the impact detection control means prohibits the detection operation of the impact detection means when non-rotation is detected, and permits the detection operation of the impact detection means when rotation is detected. And

  In the electronic timepiece according to the invention, in the above invention, the impact detection control unit may perform an impact when the correction drive pulse is output continuously when the correction drive pulse is output continuously. The detection is continued, and the impact detection is prohibited when the second and subsequent correction driving pulses are output.

  In the electronic timepiece according to the invention, in the above invention, the normal drive pulse generating means generates a plurality of normal drive pulses having different driving forces, and outputs one normal drive pulse from the plurality of normal drive pulses. And a normal drive pulse selecting means for selecting and outputting, wherein the impact detection control means is the correction drive first after the normal drive pulse selecting means switches the normal drive pulse to a smaller normal drive pulse. When the pulse is output, the shock detection is continued, and when the second and subsequent correction driving pulses are output, the shock detection is prohibited.

  The electronic timepiece according to the present invention further includes an external operation member and external input means for generating an input signal by operating the external operation member in the above invention, wherein the impact detection control means is based on the input signal. It is characterized by controlling the prohibition / permission of impact detection.

  The electronic timepiece according to the present invention includes a magnetic detection means for detecting external magnetism in the above invention, and the impact detection control means prohibits / permits impact detection based on a detection result of the magnetic detection means. It is characterized by controlling.

  The electronic timepiece according to the invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the rotation detecting means or the impact detecting means is also used as the magnetic detecting means.

  The electronic timepiece according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, when shock detection is prohibited, the terminals of the coil are shunted.

  Further, in the electronic timepiece according to the invention, in the above invention, the impact detection control means performs a detection operation on the impact detection means after a lapse of a predetermined time after prohibiting the detection operation of the impact detection means during non-rotation detection. It is characterized by permission.

  The electronic timepiece according to the present invention has drive pulse control means for controlling the output permission / stop of the normal drive pulse by the normal drive pulse generating means by detecting the second predetermined condition in the above invention, and the drive pulse The detection operation of the impact detection unit is permitted after the predetermined time has elapsed while the output of the normal drive pulse by the control unit is stopped.

  The electronic timepiece according to the present invention is the electronic timepiece according to the above invention, wherein the second step motor having a coil and a rotor, second normal drive pulse generating means for driving the second step motor, and the rotor of the second step motor are provided. Second rotation detection means for detecting rotation and non-rotation; and second correction drive pulse generation means for generating a correction drive pulse when it is determined that the rotation is not based on the detection result of the second rotation detection means, The impact detection control means permits the detection operation of the impact detection means when the rotation is detected by the second rotation detection means.

  The electronic timepiece according to the invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the impact detection control means prohibits the detection operation of the impact detection means when non-rotation is detected by the second rotation detection means.

  The electronic timepiece according to the invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the step motor and the second step motor are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of the coils are parallel to each other.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field can be prevented by restricting the output of a lock pulse when a correction drive pulse is generated in an electromagnetic braking type timepiece.

  Further, by providing the second limiting means, it is possible to prevent the step motor from being distorted due to an impact even in an electronic timepiece with a multistage load for reducing current consumption.

  Further, even in a configuration in which the hand movement such as the chrono hand is arbitrarily started and stopped, the prohibition or permission of the output of the lock pulse PL can be appropriately controlled.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of an electronic timepiece according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the circuit of the electronic timepiece according to the invention. Example 1 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the electronic timepiece operation of the present invention. Example 1 FIG. 4 is a pulse waveform diagram generated by the circuit of the electronic timepiece of the invention. (Example 2) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece of the invention. (Example 2) FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the circuit of the electronic timepiece according to the invention. (Example 2) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the electronic timepiece operation of the present invention. (Example 2) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece of the invention. (Example 3) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the electronic timepiece operation of the present invention. (Example 3) FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a malfunction of the control by the chrono needle. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fourth embodiment. (Part 1) FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fourth embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating a lock pulse output restriction release operation according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15A is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15-2 is a diagram of an arrangement example of the chrono motor and the time motor according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment. (Part 1) FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 18 is a timing chart illustrating a lock pulse output restriction release operation according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the sixth embodiment. (Part 1) FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the sixth embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional electronic timepiece. FIG. 22 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the circuit of the conventional electronic timepiece. FIG. 23 is a plan view of a step motor for explaining the movement of the rotor 10. FIG. 24 is a plan view of a step motor for explaining the movement of the rotor 10. FIG. 25 is a plan view of a step motor for explaining the movement of the rotor 10. FIG. 26 is a plan view of a step motor for explaining the movement of the rotor 10. FIG. 27 is a plan view of a step motor for explaining the movement of the rotor 10. FIG. 28 is a waveform diagram for explaining an abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field of a conventional electronic timepiece.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Step motor 10 Rotor 11 Magnet 12 Stator 13 Coil 101 Drive pulse generation circuit 102 Lock pulse generation circuit 111, 121 Normal drive pulse generation circuit 103, 113 Pulse selection circuit 108 Driver circuit 104, 114 Impact detection circuit 115 Rotation detection circuit 116 Limit Circuit 118 Rotation detection memory circuit 120, 130 Rank setting circuit 138 Rank down memory circuit 1101 Chrono motor 1102 Chronograph control circuit 1103 Time reference signal source 1104 Timing circuit Pa drive pulse Ps, Ps1 to Ps5 Normal drive pulse Pf Correction drive pulse T2 Impact Detection period T3 Impact detection prohibition period

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an electronic timepiece according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram output from the electronic timepiece according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the circuit of the electronic timepiece according to the first embodiment. . In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component as what was demonstrated in the prior art example, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a step motor composed of a rotor 10 and a coil 13, 111 is a normal drive pulse generating circuit that generates a normal drive pulse Ps, and 112 is a correction drive pulse that is output when the normal drive pulse Ps cannot be driven. Correction drive pulse generation circuit for generating Pf, lock pulse generation circuit for generating lock pulse PL, 113 for normal drive pulse Ps generated by normal drive pulse generation circuit 111, or correction generated by correction drive pulse generation circuit 112 This is a pulse selection circuit that selects either the drive pulse Pf or the lock pulse PL generated by the lock pulse generation circuit 102. Reference numeral 108 denotes a driver circuit that outputs the pulse selected by the pulse selection circuit 113 to the coil 13, reference numeral 115 denotes a rotation detection circuit that determines success / failure of rotation based on the normal driving pulse Ps, and reference numeral 114 is generated in the coil 13 due to vibration of the rotor 10. An impact detection circuit 116 that detects the presence or absence of an impact by a counter electromotive current, and a limit circuit 116 that limits the lock pulse PL based on the result of the rotation detection circuit 115.

  Next, the circuit operation will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2A, the normal drive pulse Ps is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 111 at the timing s1 of the second, is selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13. The rotor 10 is driven. The rotation detection circuit 115 detects the success / failure of the rotation of the rotor 10 by detecting the counter electromotive current generated in the coil 13 during the rotation detection period Tk by detecting the rotation detection signal r. The rotation detection period Tk also serves as a dead period T1 during which no impact detection is performed. When the rotation detection circuit 115 determines “successful rotation”, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 not to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is not output as shown in FIG. The limiting circuit 116 receives the “successful rotation” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115, permits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114, and shifts to an impact detection period T2 in which an impact is detected. In the impact detection period T2, the impact detection circuit 114 periodically detects the presence or absence of a counter electromotive voltage due to the impact by the impact detection signal g. When a back electromotive voltage is generated due to the shock G, the lock pulse PL is immediately output from the lock pulse generation circuit 102, and the lock pulse PL is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113 to brake the rotor 10. Thus, the rotor 10 is prevented from being rotated by an impact. When the output of the lock pulse PL is finished, a fixed period in which the vibration of the rotor 10 due to braking is estimated to be settled is provided as a dead period T1 in which the impact detection is not performed, and then the process proceeds to the impact detection period T2. The impact detection period T2 is continued until the next true second timing s2.

  Next, a case where the rotor 10 cannot be rotated will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the drive pulse Ps is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 111 at the timing s1 of the second, selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13. . The rotation detection circuit 115 is the same as in the case of successful rotation until detection is made by detecting the counter electromotive current generated in the coil 13 by the rotation detection signal r to determine whether the rotor 10 has rotated. When the rotation detection circuit 115 determines “rotation failure”, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, and the rotor 10 is driven again. On the other hand, the limit circuit 116 receives a “rotation failure” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115, limits the detection of the impact detection circuit 114, and shifts to an impact detection prohibition period T3 in which no impact is detected. The shock detection prohibition period T3 continues until the next true second timing s2.

  The above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the normal drive pulse Ps is output at the timing of the second (step ST11). Subsequently, rotation detection is performed by the rotation detection circuit 115 (step ST12), and when it is determined that “rotation is successful” (Y in step ST12), impact detection is permitted (step ST13). An impact is detected by the impact detection circuit 114 (step ST14). If there is an impact G (Y in step ST14), the lock pulse PL is output (step ST15). On the other hand, when it is determined as “rotation failure” in step ST12 (N in step ST12), the correction drive pulse Pf is output (step ST16), and the impact detection is prohibited (step ST17).

  As described above, when the correction drive pulse Pf is generated, the impact detection is prohibited and the generation of the lock pulse PL is eliminated. Therefore, the occurrence of abnormal hand movement in the magnetic field due to the external magnetic field is prevented.

  In the impact detection prohibition period T3, the impact detection circuit 114 does not detect the impact, and if an impact occurs, the lock pulse PL is not output, and the rotor 10 may go out of order due to the impact. For this reason, it is desirable to shunt (short-circuit) between the terminals O1 and O2 of the coil 13 during the shock detection prohibition period T3. Specifically, the same fixed potential is output from the terminals O1 and O2 of the driver circuit 108. Thereby, an electromagnetic brake can be utilized and the tolerance with respect to an impact can be improved.

  Further, as described above, when the “rotation failure” is caused by the normal drive pulse Ps, the impact detection prohibition period T3 is reached and the impact becomes weak. In order to cope with this, it is possible to avoid a “rotation failure” as much as possible and to avoid weakening against an impact by giving the normal driving pulse Ps a relatively large driving force.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment is an example in which a plurality of normal drive pulses having different driving forces are prepared as normal drive pulses. In the electronic timepieces disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 described above, in order to suppress current consumption as much as possible, a method of selecting a normal drive pulse that can be driven from among a plurality of normal drive pulses and outputting it is adopted. Yes. In this case, the following two operations are performed as a method for selecting the normal drive pulse. First, if a normal drive pulse of a certain magnitude cannot be driven, a correction drive pulse is issued and the drive is restarted, and the next drive is switched to a normal drive pulse that is one rank larger. Secondly, when the normal drive pulse can be continuously driven with a certain normal drive pulse (for example, when it can be driven continuously for 4 minutes), the next drive is switched to the normal drive pulse that is one rank smaller. The normal driving pulse is selected by the above two operations to reduce the current consumption.

  The above operation will be described. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing normal drive pulses Ps1 to Ps5 of the second embodiment. The normal drive pulses Ps1 to Ps5 are pulses having lengths of 3.0 ms, 3.5 ms, 4.0 ms, 4.5 ms, and 5.0 ms, respectively. As an example, a case where the normal drive pulse Ps3 is the smallest driveable pulse and cannot be driven by the normal drive pulse Ps2 will be described. The driving is continuously performed with the normal driving pulse Ps3, and after 4 minutes, the driving signal is switched to the normal driving pulse Ps2 with one smaller rank. However, it cannot be driven by the normal drive pulse Ps2, but is redriven by the correction drive pulse Pf, and the next drive pulse is driven by the normal drive pulse Ps3 which is one rank larger. On the other hand, when driven by the driving pulse Ps4 having a large driving force, it is switched to the normal driving pulse Ps3 of one rank after 4 minutes, and the minimum driving pulse Ps3 can be selected. (Hereafter, this type of load compensation system is called multistage load compensation.)

  However, when the system of the first embodiment is adopted in an electronic timepiece with a multistage load supplement, the following problems occur. In the electronic timepiece employing the multistage load compensation, as described above, a small drive pulse Ps2 that cannot be driven is applied once every 4 minutes. At that time, it is driven by the correction drive pulse Pf. That is, in the system of the first embodiment, the impact detection is not performed for 1 second every 4 minutes, and a situation in which the impact is weak occurs. The second embodiment is an example corresponding to the above-described problem, and is characterized in that the output of the lock pulse is limited when it is determined that the rotation detection is continuously stopped.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram output from the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the circuit of the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment. . In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component as what was demonstrated in the prior art example and Example 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In FIG. 5, 1 is a step motor composed of a rotor 10 and a coil 13, 121 is a normal drive pulse generating circuit for generating normal drive pulses Ps1 to Ps5 shown in FIG. 4, 112 is a correction drive pulse generating circuit, and 102 is a lock. The pulse generation circuit, 113 is a pulse selection circuit, 108 is a driver circuit, 115 is a rotation detection circuit, 114 is an impact detection circuit, 116 is a detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115, and contents stored in a rotation detection storage circuit 118 described later. It is a limiting circuit that limits the lock pulse PL. Reference numeral 118 denotes a rotation detection storage circuit that stores the detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115 and controls the limiting circuit 116 based on the detection result. The rotation detection storage circuit 118 is a second limiting means for limiting the output of the lock pulse. Reference numeral 120 denotes a rank setting circuit that selects the normal drive pulses Ps1 to Ps5 based on the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115.

  Next, the circuit operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A in the second embodiment is substantially the same as FIG. 2A in the first embodiment. A normal drive pulse Ps3 is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 at the timing s1 of the positive second, is selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13 to drive the rotor 10. The rotation detection circuit 115 detects the rotation success / failure of the rotor 10 by detecting a rotation detection signal r generated in the coil 13 during the rotation detection period Tk. The rotation detection period Tk also serves as a dead period T1 during which no impact detection is performed. When the rotation detection circuit 115 determines “successful rotation”, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 not to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is not output as shown in FIG. At this time, the rotation detection storage circuit 118 stores “successful rotation”. The limiting circuit 116 receives the “successful rotation” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115, permits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114, and shifts to an impact detection period T2 in which an impact is detected. In the impact detection period T2, the impact detection circuit 114 periodically detects the presence or absence of a counter electromotive voltage due to the impact by the impact detection signal g. When a back electromotive voltage due to the shock G is generated, the lock pulse generation circuit 102 immediately outputs the lock pulse PL, and the lock pulse PL is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, thereby braking the rotor 10. Thus, the rotor 10 is prevented from being rotated by an impact. When the output of the lock pulse PL is finished, a fixed period in which the vibration of the rotor 10 due to braking is estimated to be settled is provided as a dead period T1 in which the impact detection is not performed, and then the process proceeds to the impact detection period T2. The impact detection period T2 is continued until the next true second timing s2.

  When the rotation detection circuit 115 determines that the rotation can be continuously performed for 4 minutes by the normal driving pulse Ps3, the rank setting circuit 120 generates the normal driving pulse so as to switch from the normal driving pulse Ps3 to the normal driving pulse Ps2 having one smaller driving force. The circuit 121 is controlled. The operation of switching the normal drive pulse to the normal drive pulse with one smaller driving force is hereinafter referred to as a rank down operation.

  FIG. 6B is a waveform diagram when switching to the normal driving pulse Ps2 at the timing s3 of the second. The drive pulse Ps2 is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 at the right second timing s3, selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13. The rotation detection circuit 115 detects the success / failure of the rotation of the rotor 10. The normal driving pulse Ps2 has a small driving force, the rotor 10 cannot rotate, and the rotation detection circuit 115 determines that “rotation has failed”. Then, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, and the rotor 10 is driven again. The rotation detection storage circuit 118 stores “rotation failure”. On the other hand, the limit circuit 116 receives the “rotation failure” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115 and the signal “successful rotation at the previous time (correction second timing s2)” from the rotation detection storage circuit 118, and receives the impact detection circuit 114. The detection operation is permitted, and the process proceeds to an impact detection period T2 in which an impact is detected. Prior to the impact detection period T2, a fixed period in which vibration due to the correction drive pulse Pf is estimated to be settled is provided as a dead period T1 in which impact detection is not performed. Therefore, when a back electromotive voltage due to the impact G is generated, the lock pulse generation circuit 102 immediately outputs the lock pulse PL and brakes the rotor 10 as in the case where it is determined that the rotor 10 is moving in FIG. . The impact detection period T2 continues until the next true second timing s4.

  Since the rotation detection circuit 115 determines “rotation failure” at the normal driving pulse Ps2 at the normal second timing s3, the rank setting circuit 120 performs normal driving with a driving force one greater than the normal driving pulse Ps2 at the next positive second timing s4. The normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 is controlled to switch to the pulse Ps3. The operation of switching the normal drive pulse to the normal drive pulse having one larger driving force is hereinafter referred to as a rank-up operation.

  FIG. 6C is a waveform diagram when switching to the normal drive pulse Ps3 at the timing s4 of the second. Note that FIG. 6C shows a case where the train wheel load increases at the timing of s4 compared to the timings s1 to s3 of the second, and the driving cannot be performed with the normal driving pulse Ps3. The drive pulse Ps3 is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 at the right second timing s4, selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13. However, the train wheel load increases and the rotor 10 cannot rotate. The rotation detection circuit 115 determines “rotation failure”. Then, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, and the rotor 10 is driven again. Then, the rotation detection storage circuit 118 stores “rotation failure”. On the other hand, the limit circuit 116 receives the “rotation failure” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115 and the signal “rotation failure at the previous time (correction time s3)” from the rotation detection storage circuit 118, and receives the impact detection circuit 114. Detection is limited, and the process proceeds to an impact detection prohibition period T3 in which no impact detection is performed. The shock detection prohibition period T3 continues until the next true second timing s5.

  The above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the normal drive pulse Psn (n is an integer from 1 to 5) is output at the timing of the second (step ST21). Subsequently, rotation detection is performed by the rotation detection circuit 115 (step ST22), and when it is determined that “rotation is successful” (Y in step ST22), impact detection is permitted (step ST23). If there is an impact (Y in step ST24), the lock pulse PL is output (step ST25). Also, it is checked whether or not “successful rotation” can be achieved for 4 minutes with the same normal drive pulse Psn (step ST26). If rotation can be detected with the same normal drive pulse Psn for 4 minutes (Y in step ST26), n is reduced by one. (Step ST27) A rank-down operation is performed to reduce the normal drive pulse Psn output at the next true second timing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST22 that “rotation has failed” (N in step ST22), the correction drive pulse Pf is output (step ST28). Then, the rotation detection storage circuit 118 determines the result of the previous rotation detection (step ST29). If the previous rotation detection result is determined to be “rotated” (Y in step ST29), the impact detection is permitted. (Step ST30). If there is an impact (Y in step ST31), the lock pulse PL is output (step ST32). Then, a rank-up operation is performed to increase n by one (step ST33) and increase the normal drive pulse Psn output at the next true second timing.

  If it is determined in step ST29 that the previous rotation detection result is “rotation failure” (N in step ST29), impact detection is prohibited (step ST34). Then, a rank-up operation is performed to increase n by one (step ST35) and increase the normal drive pulse Psn output at the next true second timing.

  As described above, when “rotation failure” continues, impact detection is permitted at the time of the first correction drive pulse Pf, and when the second and subsequent correction drive pulses Pf are generated in response to the impact. Inhibits shock detection and eliminates the generation of the lock pulse PL. In other words, the correction drive pulse Pf generated once every four minutes by the rank down operation permits the impact detection and responds to the impact, and the subsequent correction drive pulse Pf responds to the impact by prohibiting the impact detection. At the same time, it prevents the abnormal hand movement in the magnetic field due to the external magnetic field.

  Note that the “rotation failure” due to the rank-down operation occurs periodically as 4 minutes as described above, and does not occur due to an abnormality of the step motor 1. However, if a “rotation failure” due to a rank-down operation and an external magnetic field occur at the same time, abnormal movement in the magnetic field may occur. However, the probability of being placed in an external magnetic field that causes abnormal movement in the magnetic field during a rank-down operation that occurs once every four minutes is very small.

  Further, if an impact is applied when rotation fails other than the rank down operation, the impact detection is not performed and the lock pulse PL is not output, and the impact becomes weak. However, when the rotation fails other than the rank-down operation, the first reason is that the load suddenly fluctuates, and the probability that an impact is applied when the sudden load fluctuates is very small. The second reason is the case where it is determined that the rotation has failed due to the influence of the external magnetic field. In this case as well, the probability of an impact being applied with the external magnetic field applied is very low. In order to cope with this, it is preferable not to output the lock pulse PL.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As in the second embodiment, the third embodiment is an embodiment corresponding to multi-stage load compensation. As a feature, the third embodiment limits the output of the lock pulse when it is determined that the first rotation detection after the rank-down operation is stopped. is there.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece according to the third embodiment, FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram output from the electronic timepiece according to the third embodiment (the same diagram as that of the second embodiment), and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a circuit. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component as what was demonstrated in the prior art example, Example 1, and Example 2, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In FIG. 8, 1 is a step motor composed of a rotor 10 and a coil 13, 121 is a normal drive pulse generating circuit for generating normal drive pulses Ps1 to Ps5 shown in FIG. 4, 112 is a correction drive pulse generating circuit, and 102 is a lock. A pulse generation circuit, 113 is a pulse selection circuit, 108 is a driver circuit, 115 is a rotation detection circuit, and 114 is an impact detection circuit. Reference numeral 116 denotes a limit circuit that limits the lock pulse PL based on the detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115 and the contents stored in a rank-down storage circuit 138 described later. A rank setting circuit 130 selects the normal drive pulses Ps1 to Ps5 based on the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115. A rank down circuit 138 controls the control circuit 116 based on the detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115 and the signal of the rank setting circuit 130. It is a memory circuit. The rank-down storage circuit 138 is a second limiting unit that limits the output of the lock pulse.

  Next, the circuit operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, the waveform diagram is the same as FIG. A normal drive pulse Ps3 is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 at the timing s1 of the positive second, is selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13 to drive the rotor 10. The rotation detection circuit 115 detects the rotation success / failure of the rotor 10 by detecting a rotation detection signal r generated in the coil 13 during the rotation detection period Tk. The rotation detection period Tk also serves as a dead period T1 during which no impact detection is performed. When the rotation detection circuit 115 determines “successful rotation”, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 not to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is not output as shown in FIG. The limiting circuit 116 receives the “successful rotation” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115, permits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114, and shifts to an impact detection period T2 in which an impact is detected. In the impact detection period T2, the impact detection circuit 114 periodically detects the presence or absence of a counter electromotive voltage due to the impact by the impact detection signal g. When a back electromotive voltage due to the shock G is generated, the lock pulse generation circuit 102 immediately outputs the lock pulse PL, and the lock pulse PL is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, thereby braking the rotor 10. Thus, the rotor 10 is prevented from being rotated by an impact. When the output of the lock pulse PL is finished, a fixed period in which the vibration of the rotor 10 due to braking is estimated to be settled is provided as a dead period T1 in which the impact detection is not performed, and then the process proceeds to the impact detection period T2. The impact detection period T2 is continued until the next true second timing s2.

  When it is determined that the rotation detection circuit 115 has been able to rotate continuously for 4 minutes by the normal drive pulse Ps3, the rank setting circuit 130 performs a rank-down operation from the normal drive pulse Ps3 to the normal drive pulse Ps2 having a driving force that is one smaller. The normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 is controlled. The rank down storage circuit 138 stores the rank down operation.

  FIG. 6B is a waveform diagram when switching to the normal driving pulse Ps2 at the timing s3 of the second. The drive pulse Ps2 is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 at the right second timing s3, selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13. The rotation detection circuit 115 detects the success / failure of the rotation of the rotor 10. The normal driving pulse Ps2 has a small driving force, the rotor 10 cannot rotate, and the rotation detection circuit 115 determines that “rotation has failed”. Then, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, and the rotor 10 is driven again. Since the limit circuit 116 receives the “rotation failure” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115 and the signal “rank down operation” from the rank-down storage circuit 138, the limit circuit 116 permits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114, The process proceeds to an impact detection period T2 for detecting an impact. Prior to the impact detection period T2, a fixed period in which vibration due to the correction drive pulse Pf is estimated to be settled is provided as a dead period T1 in which impact detection is not performed. Therefore, when a back electromotive voltage due to the impact G is generated, the lock pulse generation circuit 102 immediately outputs the lock pulse PL and brakes the rotor 10 as in the case where it is determined that the rotor 10 is moving in FIG. . The impact detection period T2 continues until the next true second timing s4.

  Since the rotation detection circuit 115 determines “rotation failure” at the normal drive pulse Ps2 at the normal second timing s3, the rank setting circuit 130 performs normal drive with a drive force that is one greater than the normal drive pulse Ps2 at the next true second timing s4. The normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 is controlled so as to perform a rank-up operation to the pulse Ps3. Since the rotation detection circuit 115 determines that “rotation has failed”, the rank-down storage circuit 138 releases the storage of the rank-down operation.

  FIG. 6C is a waveform diagram when switching to the normal drive pulse Ps3 at the timing s4 of the second. The drive pulse Ps3 is output from the normal drive pulse generation circuit 121 at the right second timing s4, selected by the pulse selection circuit 113, and output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 to the coil 13. However, the train wheel load increases and the rotor 10 cannot rotate. The rotation detection circuit 115 determines “rotation failure”. Then, the rotation detection circuit 115 controls the pulse selection circuit 113 to selectively output the correction drive pulse Pf. Therefore, the correction drive pulse Pf is output from the terminal O1 of the driver circuit 108 via the pulse selection circuit 113, and the rotor 10 is driven again. Since the limit circuit 116 receives the “rotation failure” signal from the rotation detection circuit 115 and the signal “cancels storage of the rank-down operation” from the rank-down storage circuit 138, the limit detection circuit 116 detects the impact detection circuit 114. The operation is shifted to an impact detection prohibition period T3 in which the impact is not detected and the impact is not detected. The shock detection prohibition period T3 continues until the next true second timing s5.

  The above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the normal drive pulse Psn (n is an integer from 1 to 5) is output at the timing of the second (step ST51). Subsequently, rotation detection is performed by the rotation detection circuit 115 (step ST52), and when it is determined that “rotation is successful” (Y in step ST52), impact detection is permitted (step ST53). If there is an impact (Y in step ST54), the lock pulse PL is output (step ST55). If there is no impact (N in step ST54), the process proceeds to step ST56. Also, it is checked whether or not “successful rotation” can be achieved for 4 minutes with the same normal drive pulse Psn (step ST56). If rotation can be detected with the same normal drive pulse Psn for 4 minutes (Y in step ST56), n is decreased by one. (Step ST57) A rank down operation is performed. If rotation cannot be detected (N in step ST56), the process ends. The rank down storage circuit 138 stores the rank down operation (step ST58).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST52 that the motor does not rotate (N in step ST52), the correction drive pulse Pf is output (step ST59). Then, it is determined whether or not the rank-down operation of the rank-down storage circuit 138 is stored (step ST60). If there is a storage of the rank-down operation (Y in step ST60), impact detection is permitted (step ST61). If there is an impact (Y in step ST62), the lock pulse PL is output (step ST63). If there is no impact (N in step ST62), the process proceeds to step ST64. Further, n is increased by 1 (step ST64), the normal drive pulse Psn output at the next second is increased, and the storage of the rank-down storage circuit 138 is released (step ST65).

  If the memory of the rank down operation is released in step ST60 (N in step ST60), the impact detection is prohibited (step ST66). Then, n is increased by one (step ST67), and a rank-up operation is performed.

  As described above, when the first correction drive pulse Pf after the rank-down operation is detected, the impact detection is permitted, and when the correction drive pulse Pf is generated for the second and subsequent times after the rank-down operation, the impact detection is permitted. Shock detection is prohibited and the generation of the lock pulse PL is eliminated. That is, the correction drive pulse Pf generated once every four minutes by the rank down operation allows the impact detection by allowing the impact detection, and the subsequent correction drive pulse Pf responds to the impact by prohibiting the impact detection. At the same time, the occurrence of abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field due to an external magnetic field is prevented. In the second embodiment, when the correction drive pulse Pf is continuously issued, the shock detection is prohibited, and if it is detected that the rotation can be performed halfway, the shock detection is canceled and there is a risk that an abnormal hand movement occurs in the magnetic field. However, in the third embodiment, since the impact detection is prohibited only once after the rank-down operation, the occurrence of abnormal hand movement in the magnetic field is further reduced.

  As described above, the first to third embodiments are configured according to an electronic timepiece having one motor and assuming that the motor is constantly moving every second. In addition, an electronic timepiece having a motor that is not a motor that moves every second or a stopwatch such as a stopwatch that normally stops and moves only when used by an external operation (eg, chronograph hands, etc. There is also an electronic timepiece (chronograph) having a chronograph hand). Even in these electronic timepieces, it is necessary to prevent abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field by restricting the output of the lock pulse PL when the correction drive pulse Pf is generated. Unlike the first to third embodiments, the hour / minute hand cannot be controlled or takes a long time to switch even if the prohibition or permission of the output of the lock pulse PL is controlled by rotating / non-rotating the pointer.

  In applying the configurations of the first to third embodiments to the chrono motor 1101 in the stopwatch (chronograph) function, the following points must be considered. When the chrono hand is stopped by the user's operation while the output of the lock pulse PL is limited, how to deal with the danger of the needle jump due to the impact generated in the stopped state. This occurs because the prohibition or permission of the output of the lock pulse PL is controlled on the basis of the rotation detection result of the chrono hand that is not driven constantly and the driving / stopping is arbitrarily switched. That is, the presence or absence of the influence of external magnetism occurs because it cannot be determined by the rotation / non-rotation of the chrono-needle.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a malfunction of the control by the chrono needle. The chrono hand moves at the timing of every second of the chrono, and correspondingly, drive pulses are output from the A phase and the B phase and used for rotation detection. Then, if the rotation of the chrono hand is not detected at time t1 in the figure, the output of the correction pulse and the output of the lock pulse are not permitted. Specifically, as in the first to third embodiments, the detection is performed by prohibiting the impact detection. The problem here is when the chrono-needle is stopped at the subsequent time t2. When the chrono hand is stopped, a pulse at the right second timing is not output, and the rotation detection itself cannot be performed correspondingly. At this time, the drive pulse is not output, and the state where the lock pulse output restriction is limited (lock pulse output is not permitted) is continuously held thereafter. As described above, in the case of the chrono hand in which the hand movement is arbitrarily started and stopped, when the chrono hand is stopped during the period of the lock pulse output restriction, the opportunity to release the lock pulse output restriction at a later time is lost. It becomes uncontrollable.

  Similarly, this also occurs when the prohibition or permission of the output of the lock pulse PL is controlled based on the rotation detection result of a pointer having a long hand movement period such as an hour / minute hand (for example, 20 seconds). That is, once the rotation detection circuit 115 detects non-rotation, the detection of the impact and the output of the lock pulse PL are prohibited for 20 seconds until the output of the next drive pulse, so that the motor is defenseless against the impact for a long time. It remains. It must be taken into consideration how to deal with the danger of needle skipping caused by an impact in this state.

  As a simple countermeasure, if a magnetic detection means (for example, a Hall element) for directly detecting external magnetism with respect to the electronic timepiece can be incorporated, this can be used. A configuration may be adopted in which impact detection is prohibited during a period in which external magnetism is detected by the magnetic detection means. Further, the control of prohibition / permission of impact detection may be performed by operating an external operation member.

  Next, in the following description, examples (Examples 4 to 6) having a configuration for controlling prohibition or permission of the output of the lock pulse PL without depending on rotation / non-rotation of the pointer will be described.

  The fourth embodiment of the present invention is an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function having a configuration in which the output restriction of the lock pulse PL is ended after a lapse of a predetermined time notified by a separately prepared timing signal.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 11, an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function includes a chronograph motor (hereinafter referred to as a chronomotor) 1101, a normal drive pulse generation circuit 111, a correction drive pulse generation circuit 112, a lock pulse generation circuit 102, a pulse A selection circuit 113, a driver circuit 108, a rotation detection circuit 115, an impact detection circuit 114, a limit circuit 116, a chronograph control circuit 1102, a time reference signal source 1103, and a timer circuit 1104 are provided. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component as what was demonstrated in the prior art example and Example 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The chrono motor 1101 includes a rotor and a coil, and rotates the chrono needle. The chrono motor 1101 is driven via the driver circuit 108 by the motor drive pulse output from the pulse selection circuit 113. The pulse selection circuit 113 is connected to the normal drive pulse generation circuit 111, the correction drive pulse generation circuit 112, and the lock pulse generation circuit 102, and any one of the normal drive pulse Ps, the correction drive pulse Pf, and the lock pulse PL. The motor drive pulse is selected and output.

  The chronograph control circuit 1102 controls and controls the chronograph function. Based on the signal of the chronograph control circuit 1102, the normal drive pulse generation circuit 111 and the correction drive pulse generation circuit 112 generate a pulse corresponding to the operation of the chronograph. Normally, during the chronograph operation, the chrono motor 1101 is driven by the normal drive pulse Ps. When non-rotation of the chrono motor 1101 is detected by the rotation detection circuit 115, the chrono motor 1101 is reliably driven by the correction drive pulse Pf.

  Further, when there is a possibility that an impact to the chrono motor 1101 occurs and the indicated value is shifted, the impact detection circuit 114 detects the impact, and the lock pulse generation circuit 102 operates to output the lock pulse PL, Indication value deviation is prevented beforehand.

  Further, when the rotation detection circuit 115 detects the non-rotation of the chrono motor 1101, there is a possibility that the chrono motor 1101 exists in the magnetic field, and the indication value shifts due to the malfunction of the impact detection circuit 114 and the output of the lock pulse PL. Therefore, the limit circuit 116 limits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 or the pulse output of the lock pulse generation circuit 102 to prevent the deviation of the indicated value.

  When rotation of the chrono motor 1101 is detected by the rotation detection circuit 115, it is considered that the chrono motor 1101 has escaped from the magnetic field. Therefore, the limit of the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the limit circuit 116 or the pulse of the lock pulse generation circuit 102 Remove the output restriction.

  In the above configuration, as described with reference to FIG. 10, when the operation state of the chronograph controlled by the chronograph control circuit is the stop state, pulse output to the chrono motor 1101, that is, the chrono motor 1101. There is a possibility that the operation of detecting the rotation of the motor will not be performed for a long time. Therefore, in preparation for the case where the rotation detection operation is not performed for a long time, the timer circuit 1104 measures the operation time of the limit circuit 116, and outputs the limit operation release signal LR to the limit circuit 116, so that a predetermined time is reached. The restriction of the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the restriction circuit 116 or the restriction of the pulse output of the lock pulse generation circuit 102 is released later.

  The timer circuit 1104 measures the operation time of the limit circuit 116. Since the time measured by the time measuring circuit 1104 is not related to the time measured by the chronograph and is always in the normal time, the measuring operation of the time measuring circuit 1104 does not stop even when the operation of the chronograph is stopped. Since the predetermined time that the time measuring circuit 1104 measures is arbitrary, the predetermined time may not be measured by the time measuring signal. For example, in the electronic timepiece according to the first to third embodiments on the premise that the motor is constantly moving every second, as a result of the experiment, a state in which a pulse for rotating the rotor of the motor is generated is as follows. It has been found that the problem can be solved in 1 second until the drive pulse is output. For this reason, the control circuit can be simplified as a configuration in which the prohibition of the output of the lock pulse PL is canceled at the time when 1 Hz of the time signal is counted twice.

  Next, processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the operation of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115, and the process is performed for each operation of the rotation detection circuit 115.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, it is first determined whether or not the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115 is “non-rotation” (step S1201). If the rotation detection result is “non-rotation” (step S1201: Yes), the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the limiting circuit 116 is prohibited (step S1202). Next, the operation of the time measuring circuit 1104 is started (step S1203), and a series of processing ends.

  In step S1201, when the rotation detection result is “rotation” (step S1201: No), the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the limiting circuit 116 is permitted (step S1204). Next, the operation of the time measuring circuit 1104 is stopped (step S1205), and the series of processing ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function. FIG. 13 shows a steady process in which processing is always performed for the processing contents of an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 13, first, it is determined whether or not the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 is prohibited by the limiting circuit 116 (step S1301). If the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 is not prohibited (step S1301: No), the process ends. If the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 is prohibited (step S1301: Yes), the time measurement time of the time measurement circuit 1104 is checked to determine whether or not a predetermined period of time has passed for the impact detection inhibition (step S1301: Yes). S1302).

  If it is determined in step S1302 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S1302: No), the series of processing ends. When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S1302: Yes), the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the limiting circuit 116 is permitted (step S1303). Next, the operation of the time measuring circuit 1104 is stopped (step S1304), and the series of processing ends.

  FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating a lock pulse output restriction release operation according to the fourth embodiment. In the upper part of the figure, the time of the second of the hour is output in pulses every second regardless of the operation of the chrono hand. Hereinafter, similarly to FIG. 10, it is assumed that the rotation of the chrono-needle is not detected at time t1, and further, the chrono-needle is stopped at time t2. As a result, the lock pulse output restriction is still limited (lock pulse output is not permitted). However, the lock pulse output restriction is released at the next true second timing that arrives at time t3. Thereby, the lock pulse output is permitted thereafter. In the above configuration, even if a 360-degree rotation pulse (RP in the figure) is generated at an indefinite time after time t1, it is within one second (section T4), so it is locked at the next time at the exact second timing. There is no problem even if the pulse restriction is canceled.

  As described above, according to the electronic timepiece of the fourth embodiment, the timer circuit 1104 can count the predetermined time, and can cancel the lock pulse PL output prohibition after the predetermined time elapses. Specifically, after the output limitation of the lock pulse PL is activated, when the time measuring circuit 1104 that counts the exact second that occurs regardless of the chrono, measures the fixed time, the lock pulse PL is output without waiting for the rotation detection. End the restriction action. Specifically, the prohibition of the impact detection is canceled and the impact detection operation is permitted as usual. Thereby, the operation of limiting the output of the lock pulse PL can be minimized without depending on the operation or stoppage of the chrono state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the braking function of the chrono motor 1101 from being lowered due to the lock pulse output restriction state lasting for a long time.

  The fourth embodiment is an example using a chrono hand, but can also be applied to an hour / minute hand. Further, the present invention can be applied to the case of one motor (two-hand clock).

  Next, an electronic timepiece having two motors, which ends the operation of limiting the output of the lock pulse when the rotation detection circuit of either the first or second motor detects the rotation of the motor. Examples will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the chronograph having a configuration for controlling the output limitation of the lock pulse of the second motor that operates intermittently or at a long interval according to the rotation detection result of the first motor that operates at a regular and short interval. An electronic timepiece with a graph function will be described.

  FIG. 15A is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment. 15A, the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment includes two motors in which a first motor is a time motor 1 and a second motor is a chrono motor 1101. Moreover, the braking function based on the impact detection is provided only in the chrono motor 1101. The time motor 1 measures time and is the same as the step motor 1 of the first embodiment.

  In the electronic timepiece according to the fifth embodiment, in order to use the two motors as external magnetic sensors, it is desirable that the longitudinal directions of the coils of the respective motors be arranged substantially in parallel. This is because, in the abnormal hand movement phenomenon, the direction of the external magnetism causing the phenomenon is determined, and the two motors have the same condition with respect to the external magnetism. FIG. 15-2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of a chrono motor and a time motor. For example, when the chrono motor 1101 is disposed at the illustrated position in the timepiece 1500, it is desirable that the time motor 1 is disposed substantially parallel to the chrono motor 1101 (1a in the drawing). Arrangement at a substantially right angle (1b in the figure) with respect to the longitudinal direction of 1101 is not preferable in order to exhibit the effect of this embodiment.

  The electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 15A is roughly divided into a control circuit on the chronograph side and a control circuit on the timekeeping side arranged in parallel. The same constituent elements as those described in the above-described embodiment are changed by using only the suffixes (a, b) with the same numbers and the description thereof is omitted.

  15A, the chrono normal drive pulse generation circuit 111a, the time normal drive pulse generation circuit 111b, the chrono correction drive pulse generation circuit 112a, the time correction drive pulse generation circuit 112b, and the lock pulse generation circuit 102 are provided. A chronograph pulse selection circuit 113a, a time pulse selection circuit 113b, driver circuits 108a and 108b, rotation detection circuits 115a and 115b, an impact detection circuit 114, a limit circuit 116, a chronograph control circuit 1102, (Time) A clock circuit 1104 and a time reference signal source 1103 are provided.

  The chronograph pulse selection circuit 113a is connected to the chrono normal drive pulse generation circuit 111a, the chrono correction drive pulse generation circuit 112a, and the lock pulse generation circuit 102. The chronograph normal drive pulse Psa, the chrono correction drive pulse Pfa, One of the motor driving pulses of the lock pulse PL is selected and output. The chrono motor 1101 is driven by the motor drive pulse through the driver circuit 108a. Each of the pulse generation circuits 111a and 112a generates a pulse corresponding to the operation of the chronograph by a signal of a chronograph control circuit which controls and controls the chronograph function.

  On the other hand, the time pulse selection circuit 113b is connected to the time normal drive pulse generation circuit 111b and the time correction drive pulse generation circuit 112b, and the motor drive pulse of either the time normal drive pulse Psb or the time correction drive pulse Pfb. Select to output. The time motor 1 is driven by a motor drive pulse through the driver circuit 108b. Each of the pulse generation circuits 111b and 112b periodically generates a motor drive pulse in accordance with a signal from a time counting circuit 1104 that measures the current time.

  Both the chrono motor 1101 and the time motor 1 are normally driven by normal drive pulses Psa and Psb. When the rotation detection circuits 115a and 115b detect non-rotation of the motor, the rotation detection circuits 115a and 115b are reliably driven by the correction drive pulses Pfa and Pfb.

  If there is a risk of an impact on the chrono motor 1101 causing a deviation in the indicated value, the impact detection circuit 114 detects the impact, and the lock pulse generation circuit 102 operates to output the lock pulse PL. Indication value deviation is prevented beforehand.

  When the rotation detection circuit 115a detects the non-rotation of the chrono motor 1101, the chrono motor 1101 may be present in the magnetic field, and the indication value shifts due to the malfunction of the impact detection circuit 114 and the output of the lock pulse PL. Therefore, the limit circuit 116 limits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 or the pulse output of the lock pulse generation circuit 102 to prevent the deviation of the indicated value.

  When rotation of the chrono motor 1101 is detected by the rotation detection circuit 115a, it is considered that the chrono motor 1101 has escaped from the magnetic field. Therefore, the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the limit circuit 116 is limited, or the lock pulse generation circuit 102 Release the pulse output restriction.

  At this time, when the operation state of the chronograph controlled by the chronograph control circuit 1102 is in a stopped state, there is a possibility that the pulse output to the chronograph motor 1101, that is, the rotation detection operation is not performed for a long time. For this reason, when the rotation detection operation is not performed for a long time, the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the limit circuit 116 is controlled by the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115b of the time motor 1 that operates steadily.

  Next, processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 shows the operation of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115a of the chrono motor 1101, and each operation of the rotation detection circuit 115a of the chrono motor 1101. Processing is performed.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 16, first, it is determined whether or not the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115a of the chrono motor 1101 is “non-rotation” (step S1601). When the rotation detection result is “non-rotation” (step S1601: Yes), the limiting circuit 116 prohibits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 (step S1602). Thus, a series of processing ends.

  In step S1601, when the rotation detection result is “rotation” (step S1601: No), the limit circuit 116 permits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 (step S1603). As described above, a series of processing is completed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function. FIG. 17 shows the operation of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function according to the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115b of the time motor 1, and is processed for each operation of the rotation detection circuit 115b of the time motor 1. Is done.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 17, it is first determined whether or not the operation state of the chronograph by the chronograph control circuit 1102 is stopped (step S1701). If the operation state of the chronograph is in operation (step S1701: No), the process is terminated. When the operation state of the chronograph is stopped (step S1701: Yes), it is determined whether or not the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115b of the time motor 1 is “rotation” (step S1702).

  In step S1702, when the rotation detection result is “non-rotation” (step S1702: No), the series of processing ends. When the rotation detection result is “rotation” (step S1702: Yes), the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 by the restriction circuit 116 is permitted (step S1703), and the series of processes is ended.

  FIG. 18 is a timing chart illustrating a lock pulse output restriction release operation according to the fifth embodiment. Similarly to FIG. 14, it is assumed that the rotation of the chrono hand is not detected at time t1, and the chrono hand is stopped at time t2. As a result, the lock pulse output restriction is still limited (lock pulse output is not permitted). However, when a time pulse is output at time t3 and rotation is detected, the lock pulse output restriction is released with this rotation detection. Thereby, the lock pulse output is permitted thereafter.

  In the sixth embodiment, when the rotation detection unit of either the first or second motor detects non-rotation of the motor, the operation of limiting the output of the lock pulse is started. Specifically, it has a configuration in which the lock pulse output to the chrono motor 1101 is limited (impact detection is prohibited) by detecting non-rotation of the time motor 1. The processing content of the electronic timepiece according to the sixth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the processing contents of the electronic timepiece according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 19 shows the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function based on the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit of the chrono motor 1101 and is the same as FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of an electronic timepiece with a chronograph function. FIG. 20 shows the processing contents of the rotation detection result of the time motor rotation detection circuit with respect to the processing contents of the electronic timepiece with a chronograph function, and includes processing contents common to FIG. explain.

  In FIG. 20, when the operation state of the chronograph by the chronograph control circuit 1102 is stopped (step S1701: Yes) and the rotation detection result of the rotation detection circuit 115b of the time motor 1 is “non-rotation” (step) S1702: No), the limiting circuit 116 prohibits the detection operation of the impact detection circuit 114 (step S2004), and ends the series of processing.

  As described above, according to the electronic timepieces of the fifth and sixth embodiments, intermittent or long intervals based on the rotation detection result of the first motor (time motor 1) that operates regularly and at short intervals. The operation of limiting the output of the lock pulse with respect to the second motor (chrono motor 1101) operating in the above is controlled. That is, this is a configuration in which another motor (time motor 1) different from the motor subject to the lock pulse output restriction is used as the external magnetic sensor. Thereby, regardless of the operation or non-operation of the second motor (chrono motor 1101), the output limit of the lock pulse is limited by using the hand movement interval of the first motor (1 second in the fifth and sixth embodiments). Therefore, the operation of limiting the output of the lock pulse can be controlled constantly and at short intervals regardless of the state of the second motor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the braking function of the motor from being lowered due to the lock pulse output restriction state lasting for a long time.

  Further, according to the electronic timepieces of the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment, for example, the second motor is operated for 2 seconds to 4 seconds to 5 seconds to 10 seconds to 15 seconds to 20 seconds to 30 seconds to 1 minute to 2 minutes. Even with a motor that operates for minutes to 12 minutes, it is possible to control the lock pulse output restriction at intervals of one second.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even in an electronic timepiece using an electromagnetic braking system, abnormal hand movement in a magnetic field can be prevented. In the second and third embodiments, the electronic timepiece can be employed in an electronic timepiece using a multistage load compensation, and an electronic timepiece having low current consumption and high resistance to impact can be provided. In the fourth to sixth embodiments, the prohibition and permission of the output of the lock pulse PL can be appropriately controlled even for an electronic timepiece having a configuration in which hand movement is arbitrarily started and stopped, such as a chrono hand.

Claims (9)

A step motor having a coil and a rotor;
Normal drive pulse generating means for driving the step motor;
Rotation detecting means for detecting rotation and non-rotation of the rotor;
A correction drive pulse generating means for generating a correction drive pulse when it is determined as non-rotation based on the detection result of the rotation detection means;
Shock detecting means for detecting vibration of the rotor caused by an external shock;
Lock pulse output means for outputting a lock pulse for braking control of the step motor when the impact detection means detects an impact;
In an electronic watch having
An impact detection control means for prohibiting the detection operation of the impact detection means at the time of non-rotation detection and permitting the detection operation of the impact detection means at the time of rotation detection;
An electronic timepiece characterized by comprising:   The impact detection control means continues the impact detection when the correction drive pulse is output continuously when the first correction drive pulse is output, and the second and subsequent correction drive pulses are output. 2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein, when output, the impact detection is prohibited. The normal drive pulse generating means includes normal drive pulse selecting means for generating a plurality of normal drive pulses having different driving forces, selecting one normal drive pulse from the plurality of normal drive pulses, and outputting it.
The impact detection control means continues the impact detection when the correction drive pulse is output for the first time after the normal drive pulse selection means switches the selection of the normal drive pulse to a smaller normal drive pulse, 2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the impact detection is prohibited when the second and subsequent correction drive pulses are output. The impact detection control means includes
2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a detection operation is permitted to the impact detection unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after the detection operation of the impact detection unit is prohibited during non-rotation detection. Drive pulse control means for controlling the normal drive pulse output permission / stop by the normal drive pulse generating means by detecting the second predetermined condition;
10. The electronic timepiece according to claim 9, wherein the detection operation of the impact detection unit is permitted after the predetermined time has elapsed while the output of the normal drive pulse is stopped by the drive pulse control unit. A second step motor having a coil and a rotor;
Second normal drive pulse generating means for driving the second step motor;
Second rotation detecting means for detecting rotation and non-rotation of the rotor of the second step motor;
A second correction drive pulse generating means for generating a correction drive pulse when it is determined as non-rotation based on the detection result of the second rotation detection means;
10. The electronic timepiece according to claim 9, wherein the impact detection control unit permits the detection operation of the impact detection unit when rotation detection is performed by the second rotation detection unit. The impact detection control means includes
12. The electronic timepiece according to claim 11, wherein the detection operation of the impact detection means is prohibited when non-rotation is detected by the second rotation detection means.   12. The electronic timepiece according to claim 11, wherein the step motor and the second step motor are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of the coils are parallel to each other.   The electronic timepiece according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, and 9 to 13, wherein when shock detection is prohibited, the terminals of the coil are shunted.

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